Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Organizing

I’ve gotten the organizing/downsizing bug this summer.I've seen all those cute binder labels on
blogs and Pinterest. I am an organized
person, but I never thought I can fit my stuff into binders.I mean it is 23 years of stuff! I read those
wonderful posts from Clutter Free Classrooms, but never thought I'd jump in and
do it.Now I am.I printed out some cute binder covers from
Teachers Pay Teachers and felt compelled to use them. WHAT WAS I THINKING??? I
only brought home a few files to go through this summer, so I only had my first
two math chapters, my first reading theme, my October file, and some
miscellaneous things.But I’d thought I
would give it a go.

I am also one of those wonderful weird people who doesn’t
like holes punched into my papers…you know because it copies holes on their
worksheets and look so icky (I know weird right?).So I thought how would I use my binders
without punching holes in each worksheet.Sheet protectors.A lot of
them!And did you know that you can copy
right from the sheet protector and not have to take the sheet out of it???Time saver!That is why I put things I will use in the sheet protectors double sided
with the answer key in the middle.That
way I can just take my binder or sheet protector down to the copy machine and
boom, done!

Did you know you can put masking tape on the edge of a Ziploc bag and it
becomes hole punchable?I read that on
Pinterest, but never tried it…until today!I didn’t have any masking tape at home, but I used some colored duct
tape I had.It was easy to do.Just taped it to my counter, cut off the excess,
and wrapped it around.And they held a
lot more than the index divider folders and it was a lot cheaper.That is why I will use the Ziploc bags for
all the extras I’m not ready to get rid of yet.

Here is what it looked like during (can you see my floor??? NO you can't!)

It's getting better...you can see the floor, kinda!

I put things that I use, or think I will use in sheet protectors.I then took things that I may use (you know
once you see your student’s levels and get to know your class) and put those in
the Ziploc bags.I also made a Ziploc bag
for higher level things to challenge some higher level students.

I put games and center stuff in the index dividers in the front of that
chapter.The next index divider folder
is the start of the next chapter.I don’t
have the entire first quarter files home, but by using a 2” binder, I’m hoping
to use 1 for each quarter.

Here is what it looked like after...

I've got to say, I finally cleaned out some worksheets I've had for too
long. I think that is the hardest thing for teachers to do...clean out. But I
might use it one day, right…ever say that?I do all the time.No longer…it’s
time to clean up and downsize! I’m sure
the janitors will love that next summer.My goal is to keep going with my
organizing throughout the year.Each month
I will do a monthly binder and each new chapter I teach I will add to the
curriculum binders.Wish me luck…and
happy cleaning!

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About Me

I am a third grade teacher in Mokena, Illinois. I've taught for over 20 years. After all these years, I still love my job! It is challenging and rewarding, but I wouldn't change a thing (except maybe the paperwork). I am married and have two wonderful boys (one in college and one in grade school).